Inspired To Climb Higher: The Challenges, Questions, Struggles, and Joy of Earning Your Doctoral Degree

This book introduces readers to eight remarkable women who successfully completed doctorates after overcoming difficult starts and obstacles. Its purpose is to encourage other potential PhD or EdD students and to urge them to consider the full range of ups and downs they may encounter on their journeys. The women hail from various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and many returned to college after a long hiatus. They earned their doctoral degrees in educational leadership, business administration, speech language pathology, and dance through online, in-person, and hybrid doctoral programs. Some of the situations they experienced included losing spouses and parents, assuming enormous debt, giving up well-established work-life balances, and dealing with administrative and research difficulties. While such challenges might seem insurmountable, these women all eventually achieved their goals.